A type of Ayurvedic massage treatment with herbal powders, Podikizhi is effective in curing arthritis, paralysis and neuro-muscular diseases. It is mainly done with the powdered roots of 12 herbal plants such as alpinia galanga, ricinus communis, sandalwood and dry ginger. All these are fried together with a little rock salt, crated coconut and lemon juice. The mixture is tied in muslin cloth boluses and is again heated in warm fire. It is then soaked in herbal oil to massage the whole body. After that, the patient is given a bath in moderately warm water. The treatment is an alterative to remove toxins and balance tridosha - vata (nerve energy),
pitta (catabolic fire energy) and
kapha (anabolic nutritive energy).
